Kia is a well-known name in the automotive world—but will their new electric models stack up to the competition? Let’s look at the best Kia electric cars for 2023.
Our list will include all-electric and plug-in hybrids but exclude traditional hybrids since their base energy is fossil fuel with no alternative “clean energy” source like solar or wind.
1. 2023 Kia Niro EV and PHEV ($33,740)
Best For: The Entry-Level Electric Car Buyer
Welcome to the not-so-distant future of EVs. The cutting-edge design of the new 2023 Kia Niro EV lets every other driver know that you aren’t just cruising around in a run-of-the-mill dinosaur-fueled automobile.
The front-wheel drive Niro electric car has 201 horsepower which brings it from 0-60 in just over seven seconds. With a range of 253 miles, the average commuter should have no trouble getting to and from work comfortably in this all-electric Kia.
The Kia Niro EV has a maximum charge rate of 85kW. The slower fast charge will surely be an inconvenience on long-distance trips. However, Kia may make up for it with the free 1000 kWh of charging at Electrify America that’s included with the purchase of a new Kia Niro EV.
The “entry-level” EV, Kia Niro also comes loaded with the latest technology and safety features that commonly come in expensive luxury cars: rain-sensing windshield wipers, Bluetooth, wireless phone charger, plus a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is Android and Apple CarPlay enabled.
The technology doesn’t stop there. Kia is clearly making a statement about the importance of driver assistance by including safety features like smart cruise control with stop and go, highway driving assist, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic detection, and lane-keeping assist.
We can’t get enough of it. At EVROOM, we feel these safety features should be included as standard on all new cars. So these included safety features make the Kia Niro a top pick for us.
2. 2023 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid ($33,740)
Best For: The Long-Range Electric Car Buyer
We have many conversations at EVROOM about the unclear future of battery storage electric cars. While we have zero doubt that EVs are the future, we believe that the power source of electric cars will come from batteries, hydrogen cells, and even high-efficiency plug-in hybrid models like the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid (or PHEV, Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.)
The Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid gets an impressive 108 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent) plus an impressive 510 miles of combined range. This is achieved by allowing the driver to switch between an all-electric motor and a gasoline engine.
The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid features an 11.1 kWh battery that can be charged at home to provide around 33 miles of range. This is enough battery to cover most short commutes around town.
When you’re not saving the planet, you can shift the Niro from all-electric mode to hybrid by firing up the 1.6-liter gas engine to give you the capability to take long road trips without the worry of finding a charging station.
Despite the sporty appearance, with a 0-60 of 7.3 seconds, you’re not going to win any races—but that’s not the point of this affordable electric car.
We like the Kia Niro PHEV’s simple yet modern interior. The Syntec cloth seats come standard with heated cheek warmers and you can choose any interior color as long as it’s charcoal. The Niro also features dual climate control with rear AC vents to keep all passengers comfortable.
Like the Niro EV, the PHEV comes standard with safety features including smart cruise control with stop and go, highway driving assist, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic detection, and lane-keeping assist.
KIA Niro EV and PHEV
| PHEV | EV | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $33.740 | $39,450 |
| Battery | ||
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 2.75 hours | 6.75 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | N/A | 84 kW |
| Battery Size | 11.1 kWh | 64.8 kWh |
| Charge Port Location | Driver Side Fender | Front Grill |
| Motor | ||
| Motor | 1.6 Liter 4-Cyl, Hybrid | 77 kW electric |
| Motor Count | 1 | 1 |
| Horsepower | 180 hp combined | 201 hp |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft combined | 188 lb-ft |
| Performance | ||
| MPG | 108 MPGe | N/A |
| All Electric Range | 33 Miles | 253 Miles |
| Combined Range | 510 miles | N/A |
| 0-60 | 7.3 seconds | 7.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 104 mph | 104 mph |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Interior | ||
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Instrument Display | 4.3” | 10.25” |
| Infotainment Display | 10.25” | 10.25” |
| Ambient Lighting | Not Available | Optional |
| Heated Front Seats | Included | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Not Available | Optional |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
| Massage Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Optional | Optional |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Not Available | Synthetic/Optional |
| Sunroof Roof | Not Available | Optional |
| Technology | ||
| Heads-up Display | Not Available | Optional |
| Active Cruise Control | Included | Included |
| 360 View | Not Available | Not Available |
| Safety Features | ||
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included | Included |
| Warranty | ||
| Car | 5 yrs / 60,000 miles | 5 yrs / 60,000 miles |
| Battery | 10 yrs / 100,000 miles | 10 yrs / 100,000 miles |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | ||
| Qualifies? | No | No |
3. 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid ($38,940)
Best For: The All-Weather Electric Car Buyer
Like the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid comes standard with a 1.6L 4-cylinder gas engine that has an added turbocharger and a larger 13-kWh battery to power the electric motor.
This combination delivers 84 MPGe and 261 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque to the compact SUV. The Sportage has 43 miles of all-electric range, and the combined range is estimated to be around 430 miles. Plenty to get around town and longer trips to the mountains on the weekends.
With the all-wheel drive and locking differential, you won’t worry about getting stuck in the snow. So go ahead and plan a few ski trips for your weekend excursions.
The Sportage will keep you and your passengers warm on your way to the hills with heated synthetic leather seats and dual-zone climate control. While the large panoramic sunroof provides an open-air driving experience.
Overall, we like the sporty design of the interior. The large back seats have adequate legroom for adults. However, they may be a little tight fit for three people. The rear seats can also be folded down to accommodate your best friend (your dog) on your way to the park.
The 24” combined instrument and infotainment screens give the driver a full horizon of visual information. Standard features like push button start, wireless phone charger, and steering wheel controls will make you feel like you’re driving a German luxury car.
Like the Niro, safety features like 360-view, collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic detection and avoidance are included on the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV.
KIA Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
| Starting Price | $38.940 |
| Battery | |
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 2 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | N/A |
| Battery Size | 13.8 kWh |
| Charge Port Location | Passenger Rear |
| Drivetrain | |
| Type | 4-Cyl Turbo, 1.6 Liter, Hybrid |
| Electric Motor Count | 1 |
| Combined Horsepower | 261 hp |
| Combined Torque | 258 lb-ft |
| Performance | |
| Miles Per Gallon | 84 MPGe |
| All-Electric Range | 34 miles |
| Combined Range | 430 miles |
| 0-60 | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | Undisclosed |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Tow Capacity | 2,000 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Instrument Display | 12.2” |
| Infotainment Display | 12.3” |
| Ambient Lighting | Optional |
| Heated Front Seats | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Not Available |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Optional |
| Massage Seats | Not Available |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Optional |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Synthetic |
| Panorama Roof | Included |
| Technology | |
| Heads-up Display | Not Available |
| Active Cruise Control | Optional |
| 360 View | Optional |
| Safety Features | |
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included |
| Warranty | |
| Car | 5 yrs / 60,000 miles |
| Battery | 10 yrs / 100,000 miles |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
4. 2023 Kia EV6 ($48,500)
Best For: The Electric Sports Car Buyer
Welcome the Kia EV6, Kia’s tribute to compete with Tesla. Sporty, technology-packed, and mind-bendingly fast, the EV6 and the EV6 GT are undeniably Tesla-inspired. The EV6 is available with either a single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration.
The similarities don’t end with the drivetrain; the EV6 also incorporates the controversial flush door handles that Tesla owners complain may freeze shut in the winter.
Originally introduced in 2021, the EV6 quickly became a favorite in the Tuner Community. An example is seen here at the SEMA Convention with custom ground effects by M&S America.
The Kia EV6’s interior styling is equally sleek and modern as the exterior. Recycled water bottles and other plastics make up the “Vegan Leather” fabric that covers the heated and ventilated seats. We think this is a thoughtful touch for an emission-reducing people mover.
The oversized panoramic dash screens provide all necessary driver information, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android. Additional features like automatic rain-sensing wipers and the optional heads-up-display help the driver to keep their eyes on the road.
Thankfully, the EV6 also includes the safety technology of the other Kias on our list.
One unique feature of the EV6 is the optional “Vehicle to Load Port” that provides 110-volt AC power to charge laptops, run a vacuum cleaner, or even power a standard refrigerator for up to two-weeks.
2023 EV6 GT (e-AWD)
Kia offers several performance packages for the EV6. You can order your EV6 with 225 horsepower from a single rear-wheel drive motor, up to the fire-breathing 577 horsepower, dual-motor, all-wheel drive EV6 GT (e-AWD).
The $60,000-plus GT comes loaded with an augmented display, automatic door handles, a sunroof, and a 0-60 time near that of a Lamborghini supercar… even with kids and groceries in the back.
There is one sacrifice you will have to make. The massive 425 kW motors take a lot of juice and reduce the range of the EV6 Gt to 206 miles. But seriously, what other car can you take to the race track on Saturday and tow a jet ski to the lake on Sunday?
Kia EV6
| EV6 Wind | EV6 GT | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $48,500 | $61,400 |
| Battery | ||
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 7 hours | 7 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 350 kW | 350 kW |
| Battery Size | 77.4 kWh | 77.4 kWh |
| Charge Port Location | Passenger Tail-Light | Passenger Tail-Light |
| Motor | ||
| Motor Size | 168 kW | 425 kW |
| Motor Count | 1 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 225 hp | 577 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 546 lb-ft |
| Performance | ||
| Range | 310 Miles | 206 Miles |
| 0-60 | 7.3 seconds | 3.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 114 mph | 161 mph |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
| Tow Capacity | 2,300 lbs | 2,300 lbs |
| Interior | ||
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Instrument Display | 12.3” | 12.3” |
| Infotainment Display | 12.3” | 12.3” |
| Ambient Lighting | Optional | Included |
| Heated Front Seats | Included | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Optional | Included |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Included | Included |
| Massage Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Optional | Optional |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Recycled Synthetic | Recycled Synthetic |
| Sunroof Roof | Optional | Included |
| Technology | ||
| Heads-up Display | Optional | Included |
| Active Cruise Control | Included | Included |
| 360 View | Optional | Included |
| Safety Features | ||
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Optional | Included |
| Warranty | ||
| Car | 5 yrs / 60,000 miles | 5 yrs / 60,000 miles |
| Battery | 10 yrs / 100,000 miles | 10 yrs / 100,000 miles |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | ||
| Qualifies? | No | No |
Final Thoughts
Kia is making the transition from gasoline to electric seriously and it shows with their 2023 electric vehicle line-up. Every EV they offer is laser-focused on a specific car buyer. From the entry-level EV buyer to the weekend explorer and the performance car enthusiast, Kia has an electric car for each.
The best part is that Kia isn’t skimping or charging extra for safety features that are proven to keep drivers and pedestrians safe.
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